Skateboard with remote controlled motive power

ABSTRACT

A vehicle for transporting a rider includes a platform for supporting the rider and at least one skate truck coupled to the platform and including a housing. An axel included in the skate truck extends through the housing to support a wheel having a rotational relationship with both the housing and the platform. Motive power rotates the wheel relative to the platform a free-wheel bearing includes first portions coupled to the wheel and second portions coupled to the motive power. The second portions of the bearing have a fixed relationship with the first portions of the bearing when rotated in a first relative direction, and have a free-wheeling relationship with the first portions of the bearing when rotated in a second relative direction opposite to the first relative direction. When the motive power comprises a motor, portions of the platform can be adapted to receive a battery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to personal transport devices and most specifically to skateboards.

[0003] 2. Discussion of Related Art

[0004] Skateboards were originally intended to transport a rider and to be driven by the rider. More recently, skateboards have been provided with battery powered motors which provide the motive power for the skateboard. When the motor in functioned properly, the skateboard has performed well. However, when the motor has ceased to function, even under the common condition of battery depletion, the motor tends to compromise the performance of the skateboard. Free-wheel bearings have been contemplated but not in an optimum configuration.

[0005] The mounting of skateboard trucks has also required spacers to be placed between the truck and the platform of the skateboard.

[0006] Enclosures for housing motor batteries have been large and cumbersome and have required significant hardware for attachment to the platform.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] These Deficiencies of the prior skateboards have been overcome with a present invention which can be embodied to provide a truck housing integral with a motor mount to facilitate a fixed relationship between the motor and the truck. Enclosures formed by walls integral with the platform of the skateboard define an easily accessible battery compartment, and also provide appropriate spacing between the truck and the platform. A free-wheel bearing can be mounted relative to the axel wheel and the motor to provide driving power in one direction, and free-wheeling of the skateboard in the other direction. Thus, when the motor is inoperative, for example when the batteries have become depleted, the skateboard can continue to function without being inhibited by the motor.

[0008] In one aspect, the skateboard includes a platform for supporting a rider, and a skate truck rotatably supporting the platform. A motor for driving at least one of the skate trucks at a controllable speed is powered by a battery. Remote control means carried by the rider is coupled between the battery and the motor for controlling the speed of the skate truck. First and second walls integral with the platform define at least one battery compartment. The skate truck can be mounted in a fixed relationship with the first wall and second wall, and a spaced relationship with the platform.

[0009] In another aspect, the skateboard includes a skate truck having a housing and an axel extending through the housing. A wheel is mounted on the axel and has a rotational relationship with the housing and the platform. Motive power is coupled to the wheel for rotating the wheel relative to the platform. A free-wheel bearing mounted on the axel includes first portions coupled to the wheel and second portions coupled to the motive power. The second portions of the free-wheel bearing have a fixed relationship with the first portions when rotated in a first relative direction, and a free-wheeling relationship with the first portion when rotated in a second relative direction opposite to the first direction. The shaft can be rotatably supported by the housing and provided with a fixed relationship to the wheel and the first portions of the bearing. Alternatively, the shaft can have a fixed relationship with the housing and a rotatable relationship with the wheel and the first portions of the bearing.

[0010] In a further aspect, the housing of the skate truck includes first portions having a fixed relationship with the platform and second portions having a pivotal relationship with the platform. An axel carried by the housing rotatably supports a pair of wheels. A free-wheel bearing is mounted on the axel and coupled to at least one of the wheels. The free-wheel bearing couples to the motive means to the wheel when the motive means is driven faster then the wheel, and decouples from the motive means from the wheel when the wheel is driven faster then the motive means.

[0011] These and other features in advantages of the invention will be come more apparent with a description of preferred embodiments of the invention and reference to the associated drawings.

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of one embodiment of a skateboard of the present invention having motive power remotely controlled by a rider;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the skateboard illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross section view taken along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a front elevation view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;

[0016]FIG. 5 is an enlarged bottom view of a skateboard truck coupled to a motor providing motive power to the skateboard;

[0017]FIG. 6 is a cross section view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5;

[0018]FIG. 7 is a rear view of a further embodiment of a skateboard truck and motor assembly;

[0019]FIG. 8 is a cross section view taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 7;

[0020]FIG. 9 is a rear elevation view partially in phantom and illustrating an embodiment of a wheel, axel and free-wheel bearing;

[0021]FIG. 10 is a side elevation view similar to FIG. 1 and illustrating a skateboard embodiment operable by a wireless remote control; and

[0022]FIG. 11 is a side elevation view, partially in phantom, of one embodiment of a remote control hand piece associated with the skateboard.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

[0023] A skateboard is illustrated in FIG. 1 and designated generally by the reference numeral 10. In the past skateboards have been passive in nature meaning that they had no motive power of its own but relied entirely on the rider for movement. Typically the rider 12 would pump the skateboard with one foot on the ground. When a desired level of speed was achieved, the rider would place both feet on the board and coast until the board again needed to be pumped.

[0024] The skateboard 10 in FIG. 1 includes a platform 14 supported by a front truck 16 having a pair of wheels 18 and 21, and a rear truck 23 having a pair of wheels 25 and 27. In this embodiment, the skateboard 10 retains the passive mode of previous skateboards but also has an active mode. In the active mode, the skateboard 10 is powered by motive means such as an engine or a motor 30. Electrical power can be provided to the motor 30 by batteries 31 housed in a battery compartment 32. The motive power in this embodiment is directed to at least the wheel 27 in the rear truck 23, and speed is controlled by a remote transmitter 34 typically carried by the rider 12.

[0025] A bottom plan view of the skateboard 10 is illustrated in FIG. 2. From this view is apparent that the front truck 16 will typically include a base 41, and an axel 43 pivotally mounted to the base 41 by a support 45. The wheels 18 and 21 can be rotationally supported on the stationary axel 43 by bearings (not shown).

[0026] The rear truck 23 is similar to the front truck 16 in that it includes a base 50 and an axel 52 pivotally coupled to the base 50 by a support 54. The wheel 27 can be passively mounted to the axel 52; but in this embodiment the wheel 25 has both active and passive characteristics as discussed in greater detail below.

[0027] A longitudinal cross sectional view of the skateboard 10 is illustrated in FIG. 3. In combination with the transverse cross sectional view of FIG. 4, these two views illustrate a preferred embodiment of the skateboard which includes the battery compartment 32 and on additional battery compartment 56. Both of these compartments 32 and 56 are defined by a pair of walls 58 and 61 which, in a preferred embodiment, are integral with the platform 14. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, these walls 58 and 61 extend generally perpendicular to the platform 14 along a substantial length of the skateboard 10. The walls 58, 61 in this embodiment are separated by a distance generally equivalent to the length of a “D” cell battery 31 and have a length sufficient to hold a bank 63 of ten of the batteries 31. The compartment 56 can be similarly sized to receive a second bank 65 including and then ten of the batteries 31. With these batteries connected in series, each providing 1.2 volts, the total of twenty batteries 31 will provide 24 volts to power the motor 30. Hinged covers 35 and 37 can be provided to accessibly close the respective battery compartments 32 and 56.

[0028] Forward of the battery compartment 32, the walls 63 and 65 continue along the platform 14 and provide a solid support 67 for the truck 16. It is of particular advantage that the height of the walls 63 and 65 are sufficient to provide the spacing required between the truck 16 and the platform 14.

[0029] In a similar manner, the walls 63 and 65 extend rearwardly from the battery compartment 65 to provide a solid support 70 for the rear truck 23.

[0030] The solid supports 67 and 70 not only provide for appropriate spacing between the trucks 16, 23 and the platform 14, but also provide a thickness of material which enables the trucks 16, 23 to be attached using a plurality of wood screws 71 rather then the bolts associated with skateboards of the prior art. The screws 72 are not visible from the top of the platform 14 which accordingly can be left with an uninterrupted artistic presentation.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment a third compartment 81 is formed by the walls 63 and 65 between the battery compartments 32 and 56. This third compartment 81 is particularly useful in housing an electronic receiver 83 which is adapted to receive signals from the remote transmitter 34 and to control the speed of the motor 30 accordingly. In a preferred embodiment, the remote transmitter 34 is connected through a flexible cable 86 which is threaded through the battery compartment 56 to the receiver 83. Power from the batteries 31 in the battery banks 63, 65 is made available to the receiver 83 and directed to the motor 30 through a power line 88. A cover 90 for the third compartment 81 can be fixed to the walls 58 and 98 includes a chain 100 which couples a relatively small sprocket 103 carried by the motor 30, with a relatively large sprocket 105 carried by the free-wheel bearing 101.

[0032] The free-wheel bearing 101 can be of the type more commonly associated with bicycles. This type of bearing 101 includes an inner component 107 which is engaged by an outer component 110 when rotated in a first relative direction, and which is disengaged from the outer component when rotated in a second opposing relative direction.

[0033] In operation, the motor 30 turns the chain 100 in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 6, to provide motive power to the skateboard 10. As the chain 100 rotates in a counterclockwise direction, it attempts to turn the outer component 110 counterclockwise relative to the inner component 107. In a preferred embodiment, these components 107 and 110 are fixed in this relative direction so that the counterclockwise rotation of the outer component 110 also results in the counterclockwise rotation of the inner component 107. With the inner component 107 having a fixed relationship with the 61 while providing hinged support for a cover 92 and a cover 94 which facilitate access to the compartments 31 and 56, respectively.

[0034] Of further interest to the present invention is the structure associated with the motor 30 which provides motive power to the rear truck 23. These elements are illustrated in greater detail in the enlarged views of FIGS. 5-8. In these views it can be seen that the axel 52 is preferably carried within a housing 96. In one embodiment axel 52 and housing 96 may have a fixed relationship, but in a preferred embodiment the axel 52 is rotatably supported within the housing 96. In a conventional manner, the housing 96 of the axel 52 can be pivotally mounted by the support 54 to the base 50. This facilitates turning the skateboard 10 by permitting pivotal movement of the housing 96 relative to the platform 14.

[0035] In illustrated embodiment, the motive power to the motor 30 is coupled to the wheel 25 through a sprocket and chain assembly 98, and a free-wheel bearing 101 discussed in greater detail below. In this case, the sprocket and chain assembly wheel 25, motive power from the motor 30 is applied to the wheel 25 and the skateboard 10.

[0036] In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the motor 30 is fixed to the housing 96 by a spacer 112. This construction permits the motor 30 to be retrofitted to a conventional truck 23 in order to provide the motive power associated with the present invention. In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, a truck 114 is constructed with a bracket 116 which is formed as an integral part of the housing 96. In this case the motor 30 is mounted directly to the bracket 116 by bolts 118. With the chain 100 disposed within the bracket 116, this embodiment easily accommodates a chain guard 121. A cross section view of this embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0037] There are several structures which can be implemented to fix the inner component 107 of the free-wheel bearing 101, to the wheel 25. By way of example, the inner component 107 could be fixed to the axel 52 which in turn can be fixed to the wheel 25. With this construction, the chain-driven outer component 110 will drive the inner component 107, axel 52 and wheel 25 in the forward direction. When the inner component 107 is rotating faster in a forward direction then the outer component 110, the free-wheel bearing 101 would disengage the motor 30 from the wheel 25 to achieve the advantages previously discussed.

[0038] In an alternate embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, the wheel 25 is provided with a tire 21 having a fixed relationship with an inwardly extending tubular projection 123. A bearing 125, freely rotatable relative to the tire 121, is disposed within the extension 123. Outer threads 127 on the extension 123 are provided to mate with inner threads 130 on the inner component 107. In this manner, the wheel 25 can be moved axially inwardly, in the direction of arrows 132, until the bearing 125 is supported on the axel 52 and the threads 127 on the extension 123 engaged the threads 130 in the free-wheel bearing 101. With this construction, the motive power of the motor 30 will drive the outer component 110 and the fixed inner component 107 to rotate the extension 123 and tire 121 relative to the bearing 125 and axel 52.

[0039] In the initial embodiment discussed with reference to FIG. 1, the skateboard 10 is driven by operation of a remote transmitter 34 that was connected to the skateboard 10 through a cable 86. It will be appreciated that a wireless embodiment of the transmitter 34 could also be used if the receiver 83 were also provided with wireless characteristics. In such an embodiment, the remote transmitter 34 is not attached to the skateboard 10 by the cable 86, but is coupled only through a wireless connection, designated by the reference numeral 134 in FIG. 10. The wireless transmitter 34 and receiver 83 could be of the type commonly used in controlling remote hobby vehicles. An appropriate hand piece might be that illustrated in FIG. 11 and designated by the reference numeral 136. This hand piece 136 has a piston configuration including a trigger 138 operable through a solenoid 141 to control a transmitter 143 powered by batteries 145.

[0040] Although the foregoing invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent that this concept can be constructed in many different forms to achieve the desired advantages. For example, the motive power could include an engine as well as a motor, and could be advantageously mounted directly to the truck or some other component of the skateboard 10. The sprocket and chain assembly 98 could also be replaced with a belt and appropriate pullies. With these and other changes, which are all deemed to be within the ordinary skill of art, one is cautioned not to determine the extent of the invention only with reference to those embodiments illustrated and described. Rather, one should determine the scope of the concept only with reference to the following claims. 

1. A skateboard, comprising: a platform for supporting a rider; a pair of skate trucks rotatably supporting the platform; a motor for driving at least one of the skate trucks at a controllable speed; at least one battery for powering the motor; means coupled between the battery and the motor for controlling the speed of the motor; a first wall and a second wall defining at least one compartment; each of the first wall and the second wall being integral with the platform; and the at least one battery being disposed in the compartment.
 2. The skateboard recited in claim A1, further comprising: a cover defining the compartment with the first wall and the second wall; and the cover being moveable relative to the first wall and the second wall to provide access to the compartment.
 3. The skateboard recited in claim A2, wherein the cover is pivotal relative to the first wall and the second wall.
 4. The skateboard recited in claim A2, wherein the compartment is a first compartment and the skateboard further comprises: the first wall defining with the second wall a second compartment; and a plurality of the batteries each sized and configured for disposition in one of the first compartment and the second compartment.
 5. The skateboard recited in claim A4 wherein the cover is a first cover and the skateboard, further comprises: a second cover defining the second compartment with the first wall and the second wall; and the second cover being pivotal relative to the first wall and the second wall independently of the first cover.
 6. The skateboard recited in claim A5, wherein the first cover is pivotal relative to the first wall and the second wall in a first direction; and the second cover is pivotal relative to the first wall and the second wall in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
 7. The skateboard recited in claim A5, wherein the motor control means is disposed between the first wall and the second wall and between the first compartment and the second compartment.
 8. The skateboard recited in claim A1, wherein: the first wall and the second wall extend from the platform a predetermined distance; and at least one of the skate trucks is supported by the first wall and the second wall and is spaced from the platform by the predetermined distance.
 9. The skateboard recited in claim A8 wherein the at least one skate truck is coupled to the first wall and the second wall by a wood screw.
 10. The skateboard recited in claim A8 further comprising a remote speed controller coupled to the motor control means and adapted to be carried by the rider.
 11. The skateboard recited in claim A10 wherein the remote speed controller is coupled to the motor control means through a wireless interface.
 12. A vehicle for transporting a rider, comprising: a platform for supporting the rider: at least one skate truck coupled to the platform and including a housing; an axel included in the truck and extending through the housing; a wheel mounted on the axel and having a rotational relationship with the housing and the platform; motive power coupled to the wheel for rotating the wheel relative to the platform; a free-wheel bearing including first portions coupled to the wheel and second portions coupled to the motive power; and the second portions of the bearing having a fixed relationship with the first portions of the bearing when rotated in a first relative direction, and having a free-wheeling relationship with the first portions of the bearing when rotated in a second relative direction opposite of the first relative direction.
 13. The skateboard recited in claim B1, wherein: the first portions of the bearing have a fixed relationship with the wheel and a rotational relationship with the axel; and the second portions of the bearing having a ratcheting relationship with the first portions of the bearing. claim B3. The skateboard recited in claim B1, wherein the shaft is rotatably supported by the housing and has a fixed relationship with the wheel and the first portions of the bearing. claim B3. The skateboard recited in claim B1, wherein the shaft is rotatably supported by the housing and has a fixed relationship with the wheel and the first portions of the bearing.
 14. The skateboard recited in claim B1, wherein the shaft has a fixed relationship with the housing and has a rotatable relationship with the wheel and the first portions of the bearing.
 15. A skateboard, comprising: a platform for supporting a rider; a skate truck rotatably supporting the platform; a housing included in the truck and having a pivotal relationship with the platform; an axel included in the truck and being carried by the housing; a pair of wheels rotatably supported on the axel; a free-wheeling device coupled to the at least one of the wheels for driving the truck in only a single direction; a bracket having a fixed relationship with the housing of the truck; and motive means coupled to the bracket for driving the free-wheeling device in the one direction at a controllable rate of speed.
 16. The skateboard recited in claim C1 wherein the motive means comprises and engine.
 17. The skateboard recited in claim C1 wherein the motive means comprises a motor.
 18. The skateboard recited in claim C1 wherein the housing is integral with the bracket.
 20. The skateboard recited in claim C5 wherein the power transfer device is a chain.
 21. The skateboard recited in claim C6 wherein the bracket includes a chain guard. 